Stirring or agitating device.



0. D0ERING,J11. STIRRING 0R AGITATING DEVICE. I APPLIOATIOKIILED SEPT. 17, 1909.

rammed Apr. 11,1911.

CHARLES DOERING, JR., OIE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STIR/RING 0R AGITATING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

Application filed September 17, 1909. Serial No. 518,280.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES DOERING, Jr., citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stirring or Agitating Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a novel construction in a stirring or agitating device for receptacles, such as paint cans and barrels, the object being to provide a simple and eflicient device of this character which can be inserted into a can or barrel through the opening usually provided therein, and which by being subsequently revolved will serve to agitate and stir the content-sthereof to properly readmix the solids and liquids, and consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention: Figure 1- is a central vertical section of a can equipped with a stirring device constructed in accordance with my invention, the same being shown in this figure as partly inserted and the stirring blade in its vertical position. Fig. 2 is a similar section showing the device completely inserted and the stirring blade disposed in its horizontal position. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of construction. Fig. lis a detail illustrating the man ner of connecting the shaft to the stirring blade.

In all cases where liquids contain solids in suspension, as in paint, the solids usually settle to the bottom of the receptacle and before use of the contents of the latter the same must be thoroughly stirred so as to again mix solids and liquid to hold all of the former in suspension in the liquid. Paint cans are usually provided only with a stoppered opening and barrels are provided only with the usual bung hole. The small area of the opening thus provided renders difficult and almost impossible the proper stirring of the contents so as to restore the same to the relative conditions pertaining at the time the can or barrel is filled, the.

stirring most generally being accomplished the same so that only a part instead of all of the solid contents becomes admixed with the liquid. In many cases the variation in quantity of solids in proportion to liquid is detrimental and even fatal to the attainment of the object for which the compound is intended.

The object of my invention is to provide a stirring and agitating device which can be inserted into the small opening provided in the receptacle and which after insertion affords ready means of access to every part of the walls and bottom of the can for the purpose of scraping ofi the solid matter and admixing the same with the liquid, and furthermore to afford greater ease of operation during the stirring of such contents. To this and other ends my invention comprises a vertical shaft consisting of two semi-cylindrical portions A and B respectively, which when opposed form a cylindrical shaft, the two portions of which are longitudinally movable relatively to each other. The upper end of the part A is bent to form a crank C by means of which the shaft is rotated and the part B terminates at its upper end in a hook D by means of which said part B is moved longitudinally relatively to the part A.

The lower end portions F and G of the parts A and B of the shaft are offset outwardly from each other so as to provide a free space therebetween, one of said end portions, as for example the part F, being also slightly bent laterally for reasons which will hereinafter appear. Each of said offset portions F and G is pivotally secured at its lower end to a blade H which preferably is equal in length substantially to the diameter posed at a lower elevation than the pivot K when the blade is disposed in its horizontal position.

Longitudinally movable on the shaft AB is a stopper member M which performs two functions, to wit: It constitutes a bearing for said shaft and at the same time forms a stopper for the opening in the receptac'le.

In use the device is first inserted into the can or receptacle while the parts are disposed in the position shown in Fig. 1 and after the uppermost end of the blade H has passed below the opening in the receptacle the part B of the shaft is moved downwardly relatively to the part A thereby turning said blade H to a horizontal position. The bearing M is then firmly inserted in the opening in the receptacle and the shaft AB is now rotated by means of the crank G. Said shaft A--B being longitudinally movable in the bearing M may be raised and lowered while being rotated so as to cause said blade H to work at different elevations. Where the matter to be stirred is very heavy, as in the case of paint, it becomes necessary to begin operations near the top of the settled mass of solid matter and gradually work downwardly to the lower elevations thus attaining a thorough readmiXture of the solid and liquid contents of the receptacle in the proportions pertaining at the time that said contents were introduced into the receptacle. After thoroughly stirring the contents of the receptacle, the said device may be removed by returning the parts AB to the relative positions shown in Fig. 1 or said stirring device may remain in place in the receptacle and only the bearing M removed when it is desired to discharge a part of the contents.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a modified form of construction in which a tube N is used in place of the two-part shaft A--B. Said tube is bifurcated at its lower end and in said bifurcated portion a blade 0 is received between its ends. The said blade 0 is pivotally secured, as at P, in any suitable crank S by means of which the device is ro- 7 tated, said tube passing also through a'bearing T which constitutes a stopper for the opening in the receptacle.

My said device is very simple and efficient and is also very cheap, and is intended for use by all persons having frequent occasion to stir materials such as paint, etc., in which the solids heavier than the liquid settle to the bottom of the receptacle and render difficult the work of remixing the contents.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a receptacle having a discharge opening, of a member fitting said opening, a shaft rotatable in said member consisting of two relatively longitudinally movable parts, and a single stirring blade pivotally secured at respectively different points between its ends to each of said parts and adapted to be swung from vertical to horizontal position and vice versa by relative longitudinal movement of said parts of said shaft.

2. The combination with a receptacle having a delivery opening, of a plug fitting said opening, a member rotatably and longitudinally movable in said plug, said member comprising two relatively longitudinally movable parts, a single stirring blade pivotally connected at respectively different points between its ends with each of said parts and adapted to be swung from vertical to horizontal position and vice versa by relative longitudinal movement of said parts of said member, and a crank on said member.

3. The combination with a receptacle having a delivery opening, of a plugfitting said opening, a member rotatably and longitudinally movable in said plug, said member comprising a split shaft the parts of which are relatively longitudinally movable, the lower end portions thereof being offset from each other, a single stirring blade having pivotal connection at respectively different points between its ends with each of said parts and adapted to be swung from a substantially Vertical to a substantially horizontal position and vice versa by relative longitudinal movement of said parts, a

crank on one of said parts, and a hook on the other thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES DOERING, JR. Witnesses:

JOHN H. BAUMGARTNER, H. H. DOERING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

